Apparatus for the manufacture of a packing aid



Feb. 24, 1959 o. A. VlELl ET AL 7 2,874,408

APPARATUS FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF A PACKING AID Filed Oct. 18, 1956 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTORJ Vie/6on4 RA: "(J/[er (BYoL lJuhfgaw ATTORMEMG Feb. 24, 1959 A 0, v E l ET AL 2,874,408

APPARATUS FOR THE. MANUFACTURE OF A PACKING AID Filed Oct. 18, 1956 v 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN V EN TORK 0.24. Vie/i and RA. /Vu"//er BY United States Patent APPARATUS FOR THE MANUFACTUREOF A PACKING AID Otto Anton Vieli, Rhazuns, Graubunden, and Paul Adolf Muller, Herrliberg, Zurich, Switzerland, assignors to Cogepa Etablissement, Vaduz, Liechtenstein, a company of Liechtenstein Application October 18, 1956, Serial No. 616,685

Claims priority, application Switzerland October 20, 1955 1 Claim. (Cl. 18--4) The present invention concerns a packing aid in pockets to accommodate elongated objects, more particularly ampoules.

'Such packing aids are already known, for example for the dispatch of ampoules, and consist in this case of a paper strip formed like corrugated paper and stock on one side to a smooth base. By reason of the corrugation grooves are formed transversely to the length of the strip which are open frontally and have an aperture with a smaller Opening than the width of the groove inside.

Into these grooves ampoules may be inserted whose external diameter corresponds exactly to the internal diameter of the grooves, for the edges of the grooves at the aperture are sufficiently elastic and dilatable to allow the ,thicker ampoule to pass and then to springback.

True, this method results in theindividual ampoules being laterally secured and being well cushionedrelative to one another at the sides,-' but ampoule packings of this kind have the disadvantage that an axial movement of the ampoules, which are usually filled with liquid, is opposed only by the comparatively small frictional resistance of the walls. On such packings being dropped, this frequently'leads toa breakage of the ampoules if there is an acceleration in an axial direction andIthe-ampoule with its delicate tip impinges against the inner wall of the box concerned. Special arrangements are therefore necessary in order to close the frontally open grooves with a resilient material, and for this purpose a strip of cotton wool is usually provided.

A further defect of such ampoule packings is that, in the event of an ampoule leaking, its escaping contents are not absorbed, for the corrugated paper strips have insufficient absorptivity.

The present invention has in view apparatus for the manu'facture of a packing aid for ampoules and other elongated objects which eliminates the drawbacks referred above.

The operation of the. apparatus is characterized by the fact that an endless band of cellular plastic capable of being bent at sharp angles is stacked 'mean'der fashion,

the mutually facing sections of cellular bandbeing laid one against the other and forming pockets, lined on all sides, transversely to the direction of stacking.

proximately perpendicularly to the plane of the'band for band stacked one upon the other with'the mutually facing 2,874,408 Patented Feb. 24, 1959 2 sides lie one up'onthe other at least at'both edges of the cellular material and form pockets lined on all sides with cellular substance and accessible on at least one flat side of the cellular material.

Some embodiments of the invention are described in greater detail below in conjunction with Figs. 1 to 3-. Ofthese:

Fig. 1 is a skeleton diagram of an embodiment of a device for the manufacture of the packing aid according to the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a sketch of a stamping device for the folded cellular band;

Fig. 3 is a representation in perspective of an embodiment of the packing aid according to the present invention.

An embodiment of a device for stacking the cellular band meander-fashion is represented in Fig. 1. Here the cellular band 1, which may be of any width, is fed via a forwarding mechanism, indicated by the rollers 2 and 3, to two folders 4 and 5. Arrangements are made so that the cellular band 1 can perform an oscillatory to-and-fro motion round the feed direction on entering the folders 4 and '5, either by there being sufficient distance between the feed rollers 2 and 3 and the folders 4 and 5, or by means of suitable guides for the cellular band 1 with an appropriate motion as, for example, an oscillating channel (not drawn).

The folders '4 or 5 consist'of a folding arm 8 or 9 which pivots on the pin 6 or"7 and to which a to-and-fro motion can be imparted at the rear projection Not 11 via arod 12 or 13 by'means of a crank disc 14- or 15. The two folding arms 8 or 9 are situated in mirror image relationship on either side of the celluiar'band 1 and work in contrary senses on being driven by'th'e discs 14 or "15 in-the direction of the arrows 13 or 19, so that the folding arm-8 is in'its upper end position when the folding arm 9 occupies its lower end position, as represented in Fig. 1, this being achieved by offsetting the discs l l'and 15 'on the common driving shaft 20 by folded cellular band. This knife-like but blunt-edged folder member 23m 24 is slidable in the appurtenant guide 21 or 22 in the direction of'the longitudinal axis .ofthe folding arm 8 or 9 in any position through the agencyof the .rod 25 or 26 by means of the crank disc '27 or 28 which is pivotable relative to the arm"8 or '9 on the pin :6 or 7. These two'crank dis'cs'27 and 28 are rigidly connected by means of suitable couplings (not drawn) with the driving shaft 20 and rotate duringoperation in the directionuof the arrow 29 or "36. The crank .discs .:27 and-28 are adjusted relative'to the driving shaft .20 and'the crank discs 14 and 15 in's'u-ch'a .mannerthat in the'upper'endposition of the folding'arm 8or'9 the 'foldermember 23 or 24 respectively is :pushedforwaird the maximum distance againstthe' cellular band 1. On the other hand, in the lower end' po'sition of the folding arm 8 or the folder member23 or 24 respectively is completely retracted into the :guide 21 or 22.

By suitable adjustment-of the feeding speed of the cellular bandil'by therollers 2 and 3 on the one-hand,

and the periodic, repeated oscillation of the folders 4 and 5, the cellular band .is'doubled over at -a sharp angle by'thefolder members 23' or 24 which push forward approximately perpendicularlytotthe plane of the band,

the guiding walls on the two'folding arms 8 and 9 preventing any slipping'out. In Fig. 1 this operation is represented for the folder member '23, the doublingover operation the "upper end position represented of the folding arm 8 having. just 'beenycompleted andthe doubled-over section of the cellular band being subsequently squeezed against the preceding section on the downward movement of the arm 8. As the folding arm 8 moves down,'the folding arm 9 moves simultaneously upwards, its folder member 24 pushing forward at the same time, so that on reaching its upper end position a corresponding doubling-over of the cellular band occurs in a contrary direction.

Needless to say, the distance between the guiding walls of the mutually facing ends of the folding arms 8 and 9, the maximum forward motion of the folder members 23 and 24 and the thickness of the cellular band must be correctly adjusted one to the other. Further the cellular band must be capable of being doubled over at a sharp angle without ditficulty and without the formation of cracks. If these conditions are fulfilled, however, the folders 4 and produce a cellular band doubled over meander-fashion and stacked as indicated in Fig. 1, which arrives at the taking-off mechanism consisting of a guide channel 31 and the conveyor belts 32 and 33. The rotating speed of the driving rollers 34 and 35 for the conveyor belts 32 and 33 respectively is selected so that a certain opposition is exercised to the feed of the folded cellular band from the folders 4 and 5 with the result that the mutually facing sides of the doubled-over sections of band are squeezed one upon the other.

On being thus squeezed in the feed direction, the folded cellular band in the device represented in Fig. 1, which is intended specially for treating cellular bands of extremely light carbamide cellular resin, arrives at two rotating hollow rollers 36 and 37, which can be heatedby means of heating elements 38 and 39 respectively to a surface temperature of 150 to 200 C. The gap between the two rollers 36 and 37 is narrower than the channel in the taking-off mechanism, so that the folded cellular band is compressed transversely to the feed direction and its surface comes into contact with the hot rollers 36 and 37. As a result of this warm pressing, the folded cellular band is flattened on the broad sides, thereby losing the tendency for the separate folded loops to spring apart. With an appropriately quick run through the heated rollers 36 and 37 the inner elasticity of the cellular material is not adversely affected in spite of the external change of form. On the other hand, a tough and wear-proof surface is obtained such as is highly desirable for the present purpose, while the mutually facing surfaces of the separate sections of the cellular ampoules, for microscopic preparations between glass H The depth slides, for photographic articles and the like. of fold and the depth of the pocket formed can be adapted to the articles it is desired to pack.

If elongated objects of sizeable diameter are to be packed in this manner, it is advisable to provide the separate pockets with a cavity corresponding to the shape of the articles concerned, for example by means of the device represented in Fig. 2. Here the folded cellular band, on one side of which the base strip has been glued, runs over a roller 52 of small diameter so that the pockets of the cellular band are forced apart as illustrated, which can be done without any adverse effect on the folded cellular band. Situated facing the roller 52, there is a pair of stamping nippers 56 which vis fixed by means of the column 54 to the sliding carrier 53 and is free to slide in the carrier guide 55.

The two claws 58 and 59 of the nippers pivoting on the pin 57 are here each provided,'by way of example, with length of the cellular band. The folding, however, may

.band is thus characterized by pockets for the elongated of loss.

'ing aid is in most cases quite superfluous.

an electric heating cartridge 60 and 61 in a suitable heating chamber and carry the stamping projections 62 and 63 which, when the nippers 56 are opened, are insertable without touching into two adjacent pockets of the folded cellular band 51 which are forced apart. The depth of insertion can be adjusted by a set-screw 64 in the slide carrier guide 55.

The rear arms of the claws 58 and 59 are initially tensioned by the draw spring 65 in such a direction as to close the nippers and are forced apart by an oval cam pivoting on the shaft 67. By means of two adjustable set-screws 68 and 69 the maximum closing movement of the claws 58 and 59 can be set. The shaft 66 'is provided with a suitable actuator (not drawn), for

example a torsion spring, which, when the stamping nippers 56 have been slid into the position indicated in Fig. 2, is released by, for instance, impact with the screw 64, and turns the shaft 66 through 180 at a predetermined speed, so that the claws 58 and 59 are pressed together for a short time and then forced apart again, whereupon the carrier 'slide 53 together with the stamping nippers 56 is retracted to its position of rest. As a result of the claws 58 and 59 being squeezed, the stamping projections 62 and 63, heated to between and 200 C., produce the permanent impressions desired in one wall of each of the adjacent pockets. By giving the stamping projections 62 and 63 a suitable form, it is possible to provide the pockets with cavities of the shape desired.

Instead of the stamping nippers 56, which perform a to-and-fro motion on the carrier slide 53, a continuously working stamping device can be employed. For example, an endless, heated link belt, each link of which carries on a narrow crosspiece a metal body shaped like the article to be packed, can be arranged parallel to the moving folded cellular band, one metal imitation being inserted into each of the pockets, remaining there for a certain distance and then being withdrawn. In this way, too, cavities of the desired shape can be formed in the walls of the pockets.

The packing aid represented in Fig. 3 with such cavities 741a and 70b of various widths, which may be manufactured in the manner described above, possesses the special advantage that the pockets formed in the folded cellular band are closed at the front 71. Thus when the articles to be packed, for example ampoules, have been placed in the recesses of the pockets, this being facilitated by forcing the pockets open by bending the base strip 72, it is impossible for them either to be displaced axially along the pockets or to jump out upwards. If, for example, after insertion of the ampoules, a self-sealing tape 73 is passed round the packing aid, the pockets can .no longer be forced open by bending the base strip 72, so that the ampoules are enclosed without any possibility Accordingly, a box in which to place the pack- The operating of the apparatus during the forming of the folded cellular band described in conjunction with Fig. 1 is based on the crosswise folding of the band so that the pockets formed run transversely to the also be performed by the endless cellular band being run through a constricting device in which the width of the band is continuously diminished with the formation of longitudinal folds. In this way an endless cellular band with pockets running longitudinally is obtained, from which cross-sections of the desired width may be cut off and, if desired, subsequently treated in the manner described in conjunction with Figs. 2 and 3.

The new packing aid consisting of a folded cellular objects it is desired to pack, the pockets being lined on all sides and closed at both ends, so that the objects conlar material. Apart from the excellent shock-absorption,

this has the added advantage that, by reason of the porosity and high absorptivity of the cellular material, the liquid escaping in the event of a leakage from, for example, fluid-containing ampoules, is immediately absorbed. By using white cellular bands, as for example of carbamide cellular resin, it is nevertheless easy to tell by the discoloration in the region of the leak, whether a container is leaking, which is desirable in the case of delicate pharmaceutical products.

For the cellular band used in the manufacture of the present packing aid according to the process described, all cellular materials are suitable that can be manufactured in the form of flat cellular bands and are capable of being folded at a sharp angle. In the case of extremely light cellular substances of carbamide resin or other amino plastics, which are particularly suitable, a special preliminary treatment of the cellular band is necessary in order to ensure crack-free folding at a sharp angle before the band can be treated in a folding device according to Fig. 1 or of similar construction. This preliminary treatment consists in the creation on both sides of a tough surface layer, either by heat treatment of the cellular band simultaneously with more or less severe pressing and compacting, or by coating with an auxiliary agent in the form of powder or thin films which are intimately united with the surface of the cellular material by heat treatment or adhesive.

Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I claim is:

A system for producing packing material having pockets for accommodation of elongated objects from an endless cellular web, said system comprising transport means for moving the web, means engaging with said web during transport thereof to form a substantially continuous row 7 of folds in said web transversely to the length of the latter, means engaging the folded web to temporarily spread the folds apart and to form slots therebetween, and means plastically deforming the spread folds to form pockets therebetween, said deforming means including guide means adjacent said web, slide means movable in said guide means between a forward and a retracted position, plier means supported by said guide means for movement therewith and adapted to simultaneously move into two adjacent slots and to engage the fold between said slots for forming a depression therein in said forward position of said slide means, and operating means for said plier means for actuating the latter in said forward position of the slide means, to thereby produce said depression laterally of the fold and thereby form the pocket, each pocket including one of said depressions and one of said slots.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,365,947 Overbury Jan. 18, 1921 2,414,177 Smith Jan. 14, 1947 2,477,689 Feinbloom Aug. 2, 1949 

